MitsubishiLancer20102.4L/mitsubishi/lancer/2010/2-4l/

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Lancer 2.4L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer pairs its compact passenger-car shell with the brand’s 2.4 L four-cylinder engine and a smooth-shifting AV-S6 automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 city and 29 highway mpg while requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API-rated oil. Though its powertrain complaints remained the most frequent among the 85 owner-reported issues that year, the total is still well below the 311 complaints logged for the 2003 model, placing the 2010 Lancer squarely in the more dependable half of the nameplate’s 1996–2017 reliability arc. With seven recalls issued, the car reflects Mitsubishi’s mid-cycle refinement rather than any single systemic flaw, offering researchers a snapshot of a model year that balanced everyday usability with gradually improving build quality.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/29/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MZ690116
Engine air filter1500A023 alt 1500A086
Fuel filter1770A268 alt 1770A273
Spark plug1822A021 alt MN163235
BatterySC34CMP
Front wiper bladesMZ693021 alt 8250A186
Serpentine belt4451A114 alt 4451A115
Thermostat1305A802
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2921 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2010 Sportback GTS Hatchback
168 hpHorsepower (as tested)
167 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010Sportback GTS Hatchback 2.4L I-47.60 sec16.00 sec168 hpFWD
2009GTS 2.4L I-415.70 sec168 hpFWD
2009GTS 2.4L I-47.20 sec15.90 sec168 hpFWD
2012GT 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.40 sec168 hpFWD
2017SEL 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.00 sec168 hpAWD
2017SEL 2.4L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec168 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15-21 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs12 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.70-3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Engine Compression164
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle52-66 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle67-81 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle39-44 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0032 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125-27 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts. Apply an appropriate amount of engine oil to top and bottom surface of washers and threaded portion of bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

125.0-27.0 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Active Torque Transfer System (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Radiator Hose (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer sits at the apex of a secondary complaint and technical-service-bulletin surge that followed an unusually quiet 2007 and a notable rebound across 2008–2009. With 85 complaints, 7 recalls, and 132 TSBs—the highest TSB count anywhere in the federal record provided—2010 represents the most service-bulletin-heavy year of the generation shown, and the recall total of 7 is matched only by 2003, 2004, and 2006. The complaint profile is concentrated in powertrain (18) and engine/engine-cooling (7) areas, with 2 fire and 5 crash-related complaints adding to the safety picture though not at extreme levels. Looking at the arc, 2010 clearly belongs to an elevated mid-cycle cluster—rather than being an outlier—because complaints step down to 49 in 2011 and just 19 in 2012, and recalls collapse to a single campaign that year, but it is materially worse than the cleaner 2012–2017 stretch. For a buyer, 2010 is not the worst year in the Lancer's record (2003 holds that distinction with 311 complaints and 7 recalls) but it is the most TSB-laden, making a pre-purchase inspection focused on the drivetrain and cooling system—and written verification that all 7 recalls were completed—essential before committing.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
132
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
85
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 85 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train18
Engine11
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4
Visibility3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Electrical System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V279000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 18/05/2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or…

18V069000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysReported 26/01/2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 132 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TSB-24-27-0012024-03-19Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the replacement…
TSB-23-22-0012023-07-21Power TrainThis Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional…
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lancer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Lancer 2.4L take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Lancer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.